How to Fix Windows Update Not Installing for Windows 10/11

Frustrated with Windows Update failures? Discover expert solutions to fix Windows Update not installing to get back on track. Learn simple troubleshooting steps to ensure your PC stays up-to-date and secure:

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Table of Contents:

Windows 10 Updates Won’t Install: Learn Why Windows Update Fail
Reasons For Windows Update Not Installing
Ways to Fix Windows Update Will Not Install
Windows Update Won’t Install in Windows 7
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
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Windows 10 Updates Won’t Install: Learn Why Windows Update Fail

How to fix Windows Update not installing

Like all software product solution providers, Microsoft developed the graphical user interface for MS-DOS, Windows’s first version, in 1985. It has become the most popular operating system for desktop and laptop personal computers, with an over-market share of 70 percent in March 2023.

Windows keeps releasing its updates as major updates, monthly updates, and out-of-band releases. These releases may come up with fixes of bugs in previous releases, adding new features and functionalities.

These versions come with an expiration duration for support, for example, the Windows 7 operating system after January 14, 2020, will not receive any feature or security updates with no resolution to vulnerability or defects, making it unsuitable and thereby forcing users to migrate to the latest version of their product.

Reasons For Windows Update Not Installing

There are various reasons why Windows updates not installing on Windows 10/11 operating system-based computers.

#1) Registry Key Changes

Windows registry where registered values and subkeys are organized in a hierarchy, for example, HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, HKEY_USERS, HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG, HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. You modify these registry keys from the command prompt by typing regedit.exe. Errors can occur during Windows update installations because of recent changes in registry keys.

#2) Disabled Windows Update Service

Changes in Windows update service configuration like disable/stopped, can cause preventing Windows updates on your computer. You can verify the Windows update service by going to Windows Settings? Update & Security?Advanced options? Update options? Receive updates for other Microsoft products when you update Windows as Off. (You should keep it as On to enable Windows update installation)

#3) Corrupt System Files

The presence of corrupt or missing system files may fail Windows update. You can remove these corrupt files by deleting temporary files.

#4) Third-party Antivirus

The installation of third-party antivirus software can prevent Windows updates. You should remove such antivirus software.

Ways to Fix Windows Update Will Not Install

For Windows updates, the process of download, and installation seems so seamless that you never notice that you have updated the Windows. Your computer has many settings for automatic updates every 24 hours or every fortnight.

The system will try to validate and check for new updates. In case it receives a notification for a new update, it will install automatically on your system. During updates, your system will not allow you to perform any task and the update will get installed automatically on your machine.

-Due to some configuration settings, there will be a confirmation message asking you to accept the Windows update and only after your acceptance the update will be allowed for installation. The system may prevent Windows updates from installing.

You may check various ways to resolve and allow Windows updates installed on your machine.

#1) Restart your device

Follow these steps:

Click on the Windows icon (Start) at the left bottom corner of your monitor
Select Power from the list
You will find 3 options – Sleep, Shut down, & Restart
Click on Restart

You will see your computer will shut down and in a few seconds restart. You will find the issue of the Windows update won’t install will be resolved.

#2) Setting a limit for internet data per month

You may have selected limited data plans like AT&T, Rogers, Sprint, or Bell Canada for network connection for high-speed internet, and Wi-Fi. You need to control and set data limits to prevent crossing the set limit or exceeding your budget for data plans.

Go to Windows Settings in any of the following ways:
- Right Click on the Windows icon and select Settings OR
- Click the Windows icon + I keys simultaneously from your keyboard
Click on Network & Internet
Click on Wi-Fi from the left panel of the settings
Click on Show available networks
Click on Property on One of the Network
Go to Metered connection
Set as metered connection as On
Click the link Set a data limit to help control data usage on this network
Click on the Data usage button, Under the Network status section

Under Data usage, look for Data limit
Click on the Enter limit button
Set data limit window will open
Click on
- Limit type as monthly
- Data limit as your desired MB limit (say 100 MB) or limit that should not exceed your monthly limited data plan.

#3) Configure Windows Update Settings

Go to Windows Settings in any of the following ways:
- Right Click on the Windows icon and select Setting OR
- Click the Windows icon + I keys simultaneously from your keyboard

Click on Update & Security
Click on Windows Update
Under Windows Update Windows
Click on Advanced Options
Set Download updates over metered connections (extra charges may apply) as ON

Suggested Reading => Recover Deleted Files After Windows 11 Update

#4) Troubleshooting Windows Update

Go to Windows Settings in any of the following ways:
- Right Click on the Windows icon and select Settings OR
- Click the Windows icon + I keys simultaneously from your keyboard
Click on Update & Security
Click on Windows Update

#5) Adding Disk Space

When your computer lacks disk space, Windows update will not install, you may need to remove unnecessary data by performing disk cleanup.

To clean up your disk, follow the steps given below:

Enter Disk Clean up in the search text field near the Windows icon at the left corner of the monitor
Click on Disk Clean-up
You will find a Disk Clean-up window to select the Drive of your choice
Select the drive from the dropdown and click on the OK button
Disk clean-up will begin as below:

Temporary Internet files, downloaded program files, etc, will be removed from the drive.

#6) Scan for Malware

Go to Windows Settings in any of the following ways:
- Right Click on the Windows icon and select Settings OR
- Click the Windows icon + I keys simultaneously from your keyboard
Click on Update & Security
Click on Windows Security on the left panel
Click on Virus and threat protection under Protection areas on the right panel
Under Current threats, check the option to scan
After scanning the system, the window will display as displayed below

#7) Restarting Windows Update

Follow these steps:

Search for Command Prompt in the search text field next to the Windows icon at the bottom left corner
You will see the Command Prompt app on the menus
Right Click and select Run as Administrator
Type NET STOP WUAUSERV in the command prompt
Press Enter
The above command will start running
On completion, a message will display – Windows Update had been stopped

#8) Running SFC and DISM commands

DISM command

Search for Command Prompt in the search text field next to the Windows icon at the bottom left corner
You will see the Command Prompt app on the menus
Right Click and select Run as Administrator
Command Prompt window will appear
Type DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool)
This will activate the above tool and then go to the location to checkhealth

SFC Command

Search for Command Prompt in the search text field next to the Windows icon at the bottom left corner
You will see the Command Prompt app on the menus
Right Click and select Run as Administrator
Command Prompt window will appear
Type SFC /scannow
Wait till the scanning process completes
Restart the computer

This command will verify the integrity of Windows system files and fix any damages.

#9) Troubleshooting

Finally, you can take the help of troubleshooting the issue of Windows Update not installing.

Type Settings in the search text field provided at the bottom left corner of the monitor
Click on the Settings option listed in the menu
Settings window will open
Look for Update & Security
Settings window will open
Click on Troubleshoot from the menu on the left panel
Click on Additional troubleshooters link on the right panel
Click on the Power option under Additional Troubleshooters
Run the troubleshooter button will appear

Click on it to troubleshoot the issue of computer not shutting down

#10) Restoring System

Search for Control Panel in the search text field near the Windows Icon at the bottom left corner of your monitor

Open the Control Panel and Click on Recovery
Click on Open System Restore link
Check if System Protection is turned off
Click on Configure System Protection to open the System Protection tab of the System Properties window
Click on Protection Settings for a particular Drive and Click on Configure
Under Restore Settings, select the radio button. Turn on system protection
Click on the Apply button and the OK button

You can also check this video:

Windows Update Won’t Install in Windows 7

In case you have a desktop or refurbished laptop, Windows 7 is installed as an operating system. You need not worry about receiving any updates as Windows 7 has reached the end of its life, i.e. Microsoft has stopped mainstream support for Windows 7-based devices from January 13, 2015, and extended support since January 14, 2020.

You will not receive any security update for Windows 7 from Microsoft, making your device vulnerable to use. The company will advise you to migrate to Windows 10 or 11 and they claim that the new system will offer a dynamic environment and quick response as they offer software support like Office 365 and Windows 2016.

Even though Microsoft has announced the retirement of Windows 7, you still can install Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows 7 devices in configuring Windows Update turning automatic update ON. You can install language packs that allow multiple users who share Windows 7 devices to select distinct languages, by clicking on the link for optional updates and starting Microsoft update.

While updating your Windows 7-based devices, you may come across an error as – Windows Update cannot currently check for updates – the reason being service is unavailable, and the resolution suggested is to restart your device.

Despite observing the running Windows update service and restarting your device, Windows 7- based devices are still unable to update.

You should delete recently downloaded updates – as updates may get corrupted, making Windows unable to recognize services are running.

Deleting Windows Update

Go to the Windows icon (Start) at the left bottom corner of your monitor
Type in the search text field – services.msc
Press Enter to open the Windows Services window
You scroll the drop-down till you find Windows Update Service
Right-click Windows Update Service and select Stop from the menus
Windows Update service will be disabled
Go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\
Remove all the files and folders inside SoftwareDistribution
After deleting all the files, go back to Windows Update Service
Select Windows Update Service Right Click and select Start from the menu
All the files and folders will be created again

This will resolve the Windows Update issue by allowing update files to download to your PC.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does Windows Update have?

Windows update contains executable files like service packs, system file updates, updates related to device drivers, security vulnerabilities updates to protect Windows from malicious and malware attacks, and software feature enhancement files.

2. Why updates are disabled?

You can have more control over update installation by manually installing an update. Some organizations have concerns about data privacy and prevent automatic updates of Windows.

3. Why should we keep accepting the latest updates?

Windows Update contains bug fixes that will fix software bugs, new features, enhancement of features, and security updates to protect from viruses, malware, or malicious attacks.

4. How often does Windows release its updates?

Windows releases its security updates every 2nd Tuesday (Tuesday of 2nd week) of each month at 10 AM PST (Pacific Standard Time)

5. Why did Microsoft discontinue support for Windows 7?

Microsoft, after providing support for 10 years since Windows 7 was released on October 22nd, 2009 has discontinued support for Windows 7 from January 14th, 2020.

6. How can we disable frequent updates?

You can run Services Manager (services.msc), disable Windows Update Services, and reboot your machine to stop frequent updates

7. How can I remove the installed Windows update?

Windows does not recommend removing installed updates, however, you can follow the steps given below:
Go to the Windows icon(Start)
Click on Settings, then click on Update & Security
Click on Windows Update
Click on View update history under Windows Update
Click on the Uninstall Updates link
Right-click on the particular update you want to remove
Select Uninstall

8. How do I recover a failed Windows Update?

You can recover failed Windows Update in any one of the multiple ways listed below:
Using Troubleshooter for Windows update: This tool can help fix errors that occur while installing or downloading Windows updates.
System Restore: This option will help you update or replace missing or corrupted system files in your system repository and thereby resolve the Windows update issue.
Ensure valid Drivers & BIOS: You can try to replace your computer’s drivers and BIOS with that of latest version.
Find out Free Space available: You can organize your drives by partitioning them with optimum size.
Verify Network connection: You can try disconnecting VPN from your network in case you use it.
You can analyze update history in case you have encountered a failed update error

9. How do I fix the Windows Update stuck at installing?

For the scenario where the Windows update got stuck while installing, follow the steps given below:
Right Click on the Windows icon
Click on Settings from the menu
Click on Update & Security
Click on the Troubleshoot option from the left pane
Click on the Additional Troubleshooters link
Click on Windows Update under the Getup and Running section
Click on Run the troubleshooter button
Once the system completes the troubleshooting
Restart the computer

Conclusion

Microsoft releases Windows updates for the Windows operating system that users can install to fix bugs in previous releases and add new features and functionalities. There are multiple reasons for Windows update not installing on your computer.

This article provides solutions and steps to resolve Windows update problems.

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